Candle Lighting by the Wife
Question
Is it permissible to honor my wife by allowing her to light the candles with a blessing on one of the days of Hanukkah?
Answer
Shalom Rav and Happy Hanukkah
Our sages were very strict regarding someone who can perform the mitzvah but allows household members to do it in his place, and they even cursed such a person, saying, 'A curse shall come upon one whose wife and children bless for him,' therefore it should be avoided.
Among some Sephardic communities, it is customary that the head of the household lights the first candle, upon which the blessing is recited, and honors the family members with lighting the other candles, which are for the beautification of the mitzvah.
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